November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/16/2022
1 of only 10,000 M1911 Lugers manufactured by DWM under contract for the Bulgarian army, shortly after Bulgaria declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. This example, manufactured as part of the first half of the contract, bears the distinctive intertwined "DWM" monogram over the chamber, with the Bulgarian coat of arms present on the toggle link. The right side of the receiver bears a faint Bulgarian lion proof. Left side of frame and the extractor both bear the correct Cyrillic markings. The right side of the frame bears an unusual boxed "3" and boxed "20" proofs, with an additional boxed "9" proof present on the barrel. Metal components exhibit a dark arsenal reapplied blue finish, with some small parts being strawed and nitre blued. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered walnut grips, which block the frame's provision for the lanyard loop. All numbers are matching with the exception of the firing pin and grips, which are numbered. Magazine is mismatched. CONDITION: Excellent, with metal components retaining the vast majority of their arsenal reapplied blue finish, exhibiting some areas of mild wear and thinning showing through to a pleasant brown patina overall. Strawed components are extremely fine. Proofs are soft, with some sections being partially illegible. Mirror bore, exhibiting well defined rifling throughout. Grips exhibit moderate smoothing overall, with some scattered nicks and impressions to the diamonds. A rare and desirable M1911 Bulgarian Luger, with several unusual proof marks. MLW
Caliber/Bore
9x19mm Parabellum